Sunday, January 30, 2022

Dear God,

You are healer, miracle worker, comforter, teacher, guide and helper.  You are God; there is none like you.  When we hear your voice, feel your touch or taste your love, we know you are God.  We feel like nothing we can compare you to.  You are God, father, holy parent and we are your child, loved, beloved.

In those moments when sacred divine and human touch one another, something spectacular happens.  There is such a sweetness, a freedom, a pure, loving ecstasy unfolds.  There is absolutely nothing like it.  Time pauses, joy bursts forth and peace penetrates even the most difficult emotion.  

Today I saw a husband and wife reunite after four years.  Torn apart by war, legal papers lost and so much injustice, through your miracle work, you brought these two and their children back together again.  It was no wonder the father fell to his knees in the airport, lifted his hands to heaven and gave thanks.

When we

have been touched;

by you,

no other touch

can compare.

Thank you

for the beauty

of sacred,

holy moments.

Thank you

for blessing us,

Merciful God.

We are yours;

we are yours.

Love, Andrea

 

Saturday, January 29, 2022

Dear God,

I love this time with you, this present moment, just you and me.  There is no one I would rather spend my time with!

Together right now we are enjoying the joy of nature. Looking outside, snow on the ground, evergreens rising to the sky, birds nearby singing their songs, they are all worthy of celebration.  Silence, the quiet, opens doors to the mystical, majestic and magical possibilities and invites me to smile, breathe deeply and anticipate.  The light slowly embracing the earth, the darkness slipping away, literally causes me to pray and praise and even to want to dance in thanksgiving.

Yet, all this wonder and celebration also moves me to think of others, the cold, the hungry, the beaten down, the lost and lonely, the forgotten, the fearful, even those on the edge deciding between life and death.  How can I have one without the other?  I cannot play in the cosmos laughing, enjoying and taking in so much ecstasy without considering my hurting kin upon the earth.  Just as you have made it to happen!

Loving God,

thank you

for the gifts

and the challenges.

Thank you

for my

spiritual family

and your desire

for me

to help,

love and support.

Thank you

for it all.

Love, Andrea

Friday, January 28, 2022

Dear God,

Love slips in while we are not watching or paying attention.  When we are empty and longing, even a song, a sunrise, a word, a thought, or insight can come as love.

Although my heart has been heavy for days, a little tune has been going through my head, a song that rewinds and plays over and over.  Finally, I googled the song and listened to Debby Boone sing You Light Up My Life.  Just yesterday I realized that was your love coming to me.  Your song, your light was lifting my spirit, my hope, my faith.  It took days for me to realize the gift!

Compassionate God,

you care

so much

for all 

your children.

You bless

and we

don't even

know it.

Forgive my inattention.

Thank you

for your gift

all these days.

Love, Andrea

Thursday, January 27, 2022

Dear God,

Freedom comes when we surrender, truly let go.  So often we hang onto things that keep us bound, paralyzed and afraid.  We find only bondage, no liberation or freedom.  On the other hand, when we let go, literally open our palms, heart and mind to you, O God, freedom is ours.

Yesterday I found this to be true.  During our covenant call, one of our members read a devotion about surrender.  All during the reading, I heard your voice speaking to me.  As I shared my current worries, judgements and sorrows, my loving colleagues loved me through their support as I wept realizing the answer to my dilemma was to let go, to trust you with my concerns and to breathe easier.  By the amen at the end of the call, I felt lighter, freer.

O God,

you are

our source,

our rescuer,

our teacher,

our guide,

our comfort,

you are our

all in all.

Thank you

for yesterday's lesson

in faith.

I am sorry

I have

to return

to old ways

to learn

old truths.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, January 26, 2022

Dear God,

"Once I was blind but now, I see."  The biblical reference to sight reminds us how blind we often are.  When we allow other things, circumstances, beliefs and negative thoughts to get in the way, we suffer blindness.  Although our own self actions cause this darkness, we blame others.

I confess I am guilty.  When I focus only on the dark side, the lost side, the bad side, I become blind.  I only see part of the picture not the whole.  Jumping to wrong conclusions, I fill my mind with anger, pain, sorrow, loss and a bucket of other negative emotions.  

The beauty of faith is that you teach us to look more closely, deeper and better.  There we begin to see minute details we missed earlier.  You show us the light, the truth and the hope.  Like the biblical blind healed, we too can cry out, "Once I was blind but now, I see!"

Thank you,

Holy Father,

for healing.

Thank you

for reminding us

there is

always more

to see.

Teach us again

the lesson

of trusting you.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, January 25, 2022

Dear God,

There is no place dearer, no more gentle or peaceful, no safer or loving than with you, Merciful God.  When we place ourselves in your hands, we find ourselves in the very best place in the cosmos.  Our issues, difficulties and worries may not disappear but in the larger context of your mercy in the whole of the cosmos, we can breathe easier, trust more, find confidence, surrender pain and know we are not alone.

People fear, do rash things and sometimes take their own lives because they feel utterly alone.  Yet, when we pause and realize the greater world in which we live, we come to realize we are just a part, not the whole.  And when we begin to drink in a greater whole of you, Compassionate God, we are warmed, strengthened, built up with hope, encouraged and empowered.  So, our answer is you, O God; the answer is you.

Thank you

for the gift

of your

holy, living

and loving presence.

Thank you

for remembering me

and all

my universal

brothers and sisters.  

Remind us

once again

of this truth.

Love always, Andrea

Monday, January 24, 2022

Dear God,

It is hard to be faithful!  It is difficult to sustain being faith-filled.  It is not easy to let faith move me in every situation!

I confess to being unfaithful.  I get angry.  I judge people.  I rant and rave over political infighting and lack of work to help people.  I can feel hatred.

More than anything I want to let faith lead me in everything I do.  I want to eat, sleep and walk faith day in and day out.  I want to be faith.  I want to be a witness to faith because I believe faith makes a difference not only for the one who lives it but also for those around us.  I believe, Loving God, I believe.  Yet, I fail.  I admit I fail and then I feel guilty.  Help me.

I want

to be faithful,

O God;

more than anything,

I want 

to be

faithful.

I need

your help,

Merciful God.

Please help me.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, January 23, 2022

Dearest God,

Through my devotional reading this morning, I heard once again the majesty, love and power of a compassionate, forgiving and blessing God.  Through the words of St. Paul, the psalmist, Richard Rohr, Henri Nouwen, Meister Eckhart, Tiya Miles and others, I heard only words of praise.  What you have done and are doing in human history is a call to fall on our knees in thanksgiving.

Even when I examine my own life, I have plenty of reason to lie prostrate before you!  Healings, unions, insights, moments of wisdom, helps, callings, challenges, whisperings, blessings, inspiration, all these and more have happened in my one small life.  I can point to many times when I stood at a precipice desperate, afraid and wanting; yet you came to me offering yourself to my paltry cries for help.  Over and over again you touched my life enabling me to rise from ashes, stand and finally to step forward in the journey of life.  You and only you have blessed me beyond words or comprehension!

Thank you,

Holy God,

for all

you are

and all

you do.

Thank you

for memory

that allows me

to recall,

relive and remember 

for all time

your wondrous deeds

and generous acts

of love.

Blessed are you!

All praise 

to you

now and forevermore!

Love, Andrea

Saturday, January 22, 2022

Dear God,

We can't live tomorrow today; neither can we live yesterday today.  Otherwise, we will forfeit the gifts of today.  When we jump too far ahead or attempt to live the past, we miss out.  

Only when we breathe in the air of today, anticipate its wondrous gifts and live in the present moment are we able to savor the present.  Each ticking second is precious filled with wondrous happenings. Breathing, walking, talking, sharing, serving, blessing, inspiring all require our full attention if we want to receive all this holy moment offers.

And so, in this current moment I sit here watching the candle flame dance before my eyes.  How beautiful that I got to see it!

Thank you,

Everlasting God,

for the gift

of the candle,

its flame

and its dance.

Thank you

for the wind

that moves it.

Thank you

for the blessing

before me

NOW.

Love, Andrea

Friday, January 21, 2022

Dear God,

It is in quiet moments when seemingly out of nowhere we hear the sound of eternity. Very early this morning as I prayed, I heard the wind of your spirit in the chimes that rang on my front porch.  I simply smiled knowing once again we connected, our threads weaving together in the fabric of faith.

What amazing gifts come in the stillness of daily life!  When we long for your spirit, when we are attentive to your spirit at work and when we anticipate your living presence, things happen.  Your spirit breaks into our daily life.  Joy bursts forth for again you have drawn us close to you.

Thank you,

Blessed God,

for the gifts

of your spirit.

Thank you

for entering

our lives

in personal ways.

Thank you

for inspiring,

guiding and 

loving us.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, January 20, 2022

Dear God,

How do we trade an angry heart for a forgiving heart?  How do we protect ourselves from those who choose to hurt us?  

Although I bring my troubles to you, I find myself wallowing in judgement and anger.  Seconds into this useless process, I hear your voice, "Forgive."  One simple word.  Forgive.  How do we forgive and not allow others to determine our wellbeing?  

I know the answer is trust in you and in me.  Yet, fear presents itself and anger rises up once again.  It is a vicious cycle that leaves me going round and round and round.

Help me

out of

this weary circle.

Show me

the way out.

Lead me, Lord,

lead me,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Dear God,

Faith opens doors to a wider and deeper world.  If when we gaze upon a sunset, we think how beautiful it is, that is all we have.  A nice experience but nothing more.  When faith is alive and at work, we can see not only the sunset but also the One who holds all the colors in hand.  We can marvel at creation and whisper our prayers of thanksgiving.  We can acknowledge tomorrow's sunset will be spectacular once again because the Creator will not only provide it but also change colors on us and provide different hues, lines and cloud formations.  We will acknowledge the fact that every sunset is unique painted for the world by a loving, creative hand.

When we give faith a chance, we have opportunity to open that door, to peek inside and revel in what we view.  Although we may be looking at a sunset, sunrise, a spring flower, a child's smile or family lauging together, we will also see you.

Holy God,

thank you

for the

wondrous gift

of faith.

We find you

in all things.

We discover

we are

not alone

in this world.

Love, Andrea 

Tuesday, January 18, 2022

Dear God,

Today I want to drink from your well.  I want to cup my hands together, fill it up with holy water and then bring it to my mouth to drink.  Your water is sweet.

I remember the hike to a waterfall in the Dan in Israel in the 1990's.  It was quite a walk.  When we arrived, I was stunned by the beauty.  The water coming from on high pooling before me, it was truly like water from heaven.  Tears, happy, holy tears filled my eyes.  I knelt down on my knees and drank

Every day you offer us this well of yours.  "Drink," you say, "drink."  It is just that simple and easy.  

Loving God,

you offer us

everything we need.

You bless us.

Help us remember.

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 17. 2022

Dear God,

Sometimes we want to be separate, to live lives without others and to rule our own world.  What a foolish thought!  We can never be truly alone; we are part and parcel of all.

When someone hurts me, my first thought is to strike out using my words to hurt right back.  But then immediately you speak, "Really Andrea?  Is this what you really want?"  You start the process of softening my heart because you know a hard heart is not really a heart at all.

Again, this is where faith comes in.  Faith asks the question and softens the heart at the same time.  What opens up inside is an ever-deepening well of love and grace and mercy.  You pour more into our well reminding us that your love is ever-present letting us know you hold the hurt parts close to you.  You offer us healing ointment.  You speak love to us.  Then and only then can we start again.

You are God;

there is none

like you.

You touch us

in ways

no one else can.

You renew

and restore us.

Thank you,

Compassionate, Merciful God.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, January 16, 2022

Dear God,

Gratitude, giving thanks and praise to God, is the key to our faith.  When I begin my day by giving thanks, I place you at the center of my life, as the source of all that is.  I focus on you not on myself.  I acknowledge you first and foremost as creator, sustainer and guide.  I recognize you as the only one who gives me life and keeps me alive in so many ways.

When I direct my first thoughts to you, I am giving witness to my faith.  When I fill the air with my praise, I lift my own spirit allowing your hope to penetrate my soul, mind and heart.  When I begin there, my day can begin with joy and peace.

O God,

please be first

in my life.

I want that

more than anything.

I want

to always

give praise

and thanksgiving

to you

for so

very many reasons.

Lead me

to you

first thing

in the morrning.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, January 15, 2022

Dear God,

No one can predict what you will do in our lives.  When we walk closely with you, we are better prepared to take what comes, miracle or conviction, challenge or gift, wisdom or difficulty.  Just knowing you walk with us, are part of us and breathe into us the air of hope makes it all such a wondrous gift.

Throughout the years you have shown me how ordinary can become extraordinary, how light can come in deep darkness and hope can arise out of ashes.  In every instance you have been the power, the grace, the courage, the strength and the way in which all this happens. 

Lead me, Lord,

to your will

and way.

Keep me close

even when

I tend

to wander away.

Remind me

I am yours.

Love, Andrea

Friday, January 14, 2022

Dear God,

A dwelling place, St. Paul talks about a dwelling place for God.  Another way to say it is a dwelling place for Love.  Such an image fills my own spirit, soul, heart and mind with visions of joy and peace and hope.  Love does that; it creates all these.

I am a poor vessel for love when I act in anger, judgement and resentment.  Where and how can love even have a chance inside me?  Such forces can quickly take over and dwell.  Love is moved aside in order for these emotions to fill me up.  Yet, at the same time when I become conscious of what is happening, when I suddenly realize the threat, I can call out to you, O God, and I can find Love inside me once again, not because it vanished but because it refused to leave.

O God,

let me remain

a dwelling place

for you.

I want that

more than anything.

I want

to dwell

for you

to dwell

in me.

Thank you

for countless chances.

Love always, Andrea

Thursday, January 13, 2022

Dear God,

The words popped off the page, "You who were far away have been drawn near."  The words of St. Paul to the Ephesians so blessed me as I reflected upon times when I was far away through neglect, lack of interest or sin.  Yet, you, Blessed God, drew near to me, your wandering child.  I who was once lost was found.  The warm reunion of father and daughter blesses me still.

Why do you care so much, O God?  Why is your love always available and accessible?  Why do you come to us when it appears we do not?  The answer is simple.  You are love.  You are mercy.  You are compassion.  You are kindness.  You are grace.  One who is all these will never leave a child alone or far away.

When I really ponder all this and the way your minister to me because of it all, I am blown away.  There is no one who cares like you, no one who loves more, no one who is constant, consistent and comforting.  No one.  Thanks be to God!

Holy, holy, holy

are you,

Lord God.

Thank you

for blessing me,

for blessing

the whole

of creation.

May all

praise you

now and always.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, January 12, 2022

Dear God,

Silence has called me once again to pause, wait, keep quiet, listen and give thanks.  As I indeed quiet myself before you, I always find you waiting for me.  I have to admit this is my favorite time with you.  What can be better?

 I find your divine presence filled with comfort, hope and peace.  There is always too a quiet joy.  I feel a quiet strength and calm, an inner serenity where I lay aside all troubling matters and focus instead on our divine relationship, you the Holy One and me, a broken human vessel.  This is precisely why we come together, you and I, to unite to glue pieces together, to find light in the darkness, hope in despair and peace in chaos.  We join to discover again the sacred quality of the ordinary, its power to heal and to celebrate the wondrous amazing grace you offer day in and day out.  This is such a time, right now, right here.

Holy God,

full of love

and mercy,

thank you

for this

very special time.

Thank you

for the beauty

of all

that you are.

Thank you

for being

a Spring-time God

in the winter

of my life.

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, January 11, 2022

Dear God,

Even before the sun rises, I get to choose my kind of day.  Will hope rise up in me as the sun rises in the heavens?  Will kindness have a place in my soul?  Will I select love as the focus of all I do today?

Sometimes I blame others for my sour or disappointed mood.  I point to grumpy politicians or a careless neighbor as the cause of my demeanor.  Yet, you whisper to me the truth.  I am the vessel of my own life.  I determine what I believe, how I act and what I say.  I can choose a poor day or another kind of day.  I can't blame others.

If my day is difficult because of circumstances, I can choose faith as my way out.  I can pray for strength or forgiveness or peace.  I can allow you to refill my empty or cold cup.  I can breathe in joy, not happiness, but joy that bubbles up from the deepest part of my soul where all that is good and wonderful and beautiful and loving and merciful resides, that part where you exist to guide and love me.

Compassionate God,

help me

choose good

over evil,

love over hate

and mercy

over judgement.

I want

your will

for my life.

Lead me today,

I pray.

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 10, 2022

Dear God,

I was simply driving out of the post office parking lot when I heard your whisper, "Leave the door open."  I didn't have to guess at what you meant.

Earlier this morning I was reflecting upon closing the door nearly all the way on a relationship.  Some family members had deliberately hurt my husband and I wanted to slam the door on them.  Yes, I confess my thoughts.  But you, no, you had a better way.  You always do.

Leave the door opened means exactly that.  Leave the door open.

Dear God,

you never

leave us alone

in our thoughts,

particularly our

negative ones.

You want

the best

for us

and from us.

And you

give us 

a way

to do so.

"Lift your eyes."

You said

so early 

this morning.  

I can't close

the door

if my eyes

are looking

to heaven.

Love, Andrea

Sunday, January 9, 2022

Dear God,

I didn't expect to see you at Walmart this morning.  With my list in hand at 6:00 a,m. I just wanted to grab my groceries and go.  But you had something else in mind.

By the time I left I found you in the black man by the freezer case, the older lady refreshing the produce aisle and the man with braids filling up the snack shelves.  Greeting one another like friends rather than strangers, I found myself saying, "We can change the world one person at a time if only for a few moments by being kind to one another."  The black man and I agreed to go out into the world and do it.  Wide smiles spread across our masked faces because our eyes danced as we talked.

Thank you,

Loving God,

for transforming us

in a

brief moment.

Thank you

for my

new friends.

Thank you

for the

amazing challenge.

Love, Andrea

Saturday, January 8, 2022

Dear God,

In the early morning hours, I love to pray in the dark, the room lighted only by miniature Christmas tree lights and mantle lights.  I keep my eyes open because I want to see your presence in the quiet, sacred space.  As I breathe in, I know you are with me.  There and then you speak, sometimes volumes.

How is it possible that a room can be a simple room of beauty and elegance at the same time a place of mystical power?  Some see it the first way totally unaware there is more.  How does that happen?  Why?  And to only some?  I do not understand.

Yet, O God, I know your spirit while sitting there in the living room.  I breathe in the air of your loving grace.  I feel the warmth of your spirit.  I know your compassionate power.  I know there is more.

As I listen, I fill with your spirit.  I feel the fullness of your presence.  I ponder the magnificence of who you are and how we can be united together in prayer.  I smile because I cannot not smile.  

Holy, holy, holy

are you,

Lord God Almighty.

Thank you

for your

holy presence

right here

right where

I am.

Thank you

for allowing me

to be

with you.

I am blessed,

so very blessed.

Yours, Andrea

Friday, January 7, 2022

Dear God,

Whenever difficulty befalls us, we often fall prey to judgement and anger, or maybe I should just be honest, it is what I do.  When injustice enters our home, I become upset and angry.  I want to act out, tell people what I really think but when I see that all happening in my imagination, I see myself through your eyes.  I see the way I act on my own without faith.  I close my eyes, drop my head and pray for your will.

Only you can soften the human heart.  Only you can turn our heads to the truth.  Only you can fill a lonely, hurting heart.  Only you can whisper grace, comfort and help.  Only you can pour healing oil upon our heads dripping down.  Only you can shift our thinking, actions and behaviors.  Only you can change us, Lord, only you.

O Holy One,

I stand

in your

loving presence

this morning.

I know

I am

not alone

facing hardship

or hurt.

I know 

you are

with me.

You are

with my husband

and all

who hurt,

all because

you know

our names.

Your love

is more

than any other.

Thank you,

Loving, Compassionate God.

Yours, Andrea

Thursday, January 6, 2021

Dear God,

When we speak of life with its ups and downs and make no mention of faith, then we only have half a life.  When we imagine the future without faith, we leave out the most important part.

When we look at life and see what only we can imagine, we leave no space for you, for faith, possibility or hope.  Ours is a life void of life's basic essentials.

Hope arises out of faith, not hope for a desired end but rather hope that trusts in something more, something bigger with greater power and wisdom.  Hope is a journey with someone greater than us.  Hope exists because life is always more than we can see, touch or taste.  When I hope, I am expressing my willingness to walk with that One.

For sure I want to walk with hope in 2022.  When I fail to hope, I am letting down the One who promises to walk the journey with me and why would I do that?

Eternal God,

thank you

for the promise

of your presence.

Thank you

for the blessing

of love

that is

always present.

Help me

to see it,

trust it

and walk

with it.

Love, Andrea

Wednesday, January 5, 2022

Dear God,

As I drove back from the doctor's office, I was thinking and praying.  Suddenly, a half empty, half-full cup appeared in my mind.  I realized it was not full because my negative thinking was keeping it half empty.  When I acknowledged my actions, I saw the cup being filled clear to the top.  You made it clear you were the person responsible for filling my cup with compassion, love and faith.

Isn't that the way of faith!  When our cups are empty or even half empty, you refill them because you want us to live full-cup lives.  I smiled and drove on home watching the steam rise from my full cup.

Thank you, 

Blessed God,

for filling

my cup.

Thank you

for the vision

and the gift.

Only you

know how

to fill

our cups

to the top!

Love, Andrea

Tuesday, January 4, 2021

Dear God,

A soft heart, I pray for a soft heart, O Lord.  I confess I am angry with those who purposefully chose to hurt a loved one.  Not wanting to be tested for Covid before a family gathering meant an 86-year-old man with an auto-immune disease and two minor surgeries in two weeks would not be able to be with his family.  Although he made the decision, I feel the pain.

It is so easy to become resentment over injustice!  A simple gathering and love for a father, grandfather and great grandfather was not enough to cause family members to do a simple test in order to be together.  They didn't think it was necessary or warranted even suggesting if he did get Covid it would be a mild case.

How do you do that, God?  How?

I do 

not want

a hardened heart,

Compassionate God.

It is growing

that way.

I feel it hardening.

I want

to trust you more.

I want

to love

as you love.

Teach me again

the ways

of faith.

Love, Andrea

Monday, January 3, 2021

Dear God,

"The heavens declare the glory of the Lord."  Just this morning the psalmist declared these words but actually it sounds more like he made a statement of faith.

I so believe in this declaration.  I am drawn to the night skies.  They are not only beautiful, exquisite and amazing; they point us to you.  They speak of you.  They reveal you to us, a waiting people looking for hope, peace and wisdom.  They remind us of the light and darkness that live together, teach us together and love us together.  

When I look to the skies, I am looking to you, Loving Lord.  Frequently, I pray giving thanks or crying out to you for myself or for others in need of your help.  I find comfort in your wondrous creation, in you.

Thank you

for the

heavenly skies,

O God.

Thank you

for all

their gifts.

Thank you

for the gifts

of your spirit

and the hope

they give.

Yours always, Andrea

Sunday, January 2, 2021

Dear God,

As I sit here writing you, I look out my kitchen window to watch the Christmas lights twinkle.  How I love to gaze at them in the darkness of early morning.  It is not just that they are pretty; they are a reminder of how your light works in the world.

It is almost as if I hear you saying, "Light up the world with your light.  Let your light shine."  I know how much darkness there is right now and how much we all need your light.  When I look at these simple lights, I feel the warmth of your light shining on me and I know you are challenging me to be a lighthouse too.  May I carry your light to someone else today.

Thank you

for the gift

of your light.

Thank you

for shining

on me

this morning.

Thank you

for the

wondrous gift

of your love.

Yours, Andrea

Saturday, January 1, 2022

Dear God,

A new year, a new start, a fresh beginning!  This morning while reading my devotions, I heard the chimes blowing in the wind.  What a beautiful sound!  It drew me in.

A mystical union occurs when simple sounds, objects or people draw us to you.  It is as if time pauses just for a moment of reflection and then the union happens, a sacred connection between the human and divine.  It is a call to the holy union in which we are a part.  Joy and peace gather too.

Loving God,

thank you

for this

morning union.

Thank you

for the gift

of your Spirit

that welcomed us

into the

new year.

Thank you

for your

constant presence.

Love, Andrea